JP Nel suspended for stiffarm on Stefan Terblanche
The Bulls will be without center JP Nel for their crucial Super 14 Semi Final against the Crusaders at Loftus Versfeld this weekend. Nel suspended for four weeks for this stiff arm tackle on Sharks fullback Stefan Terblanche.
Nel and the Bulls have decided to appeal against the ban, which will take place in the form of a conference phonecall at 23:00 tonight, South African time.
The suspension leaves the Bulls in a slight injury pickle, as Nel was a key member of their backline and with Wynand Olivier still struggling with a hip injury, they might be a bit thin in that department against the might and experience of last years winners.
Nel was represented by the same team that helped to clear Bakkies Botha of any wrong doing, but they weren’t as fortunate this time around, as he has been suspended up to and including, June 13th for his tackle that was deemed dangerous.
He will effectively miss a maximum of two matches, the Semi and possibly the final, despite the judicial officer having said that he considered a longer sentence, but felt that missing those two big matches were punishment enough.
Nel’s track record of similar type hits with that heavily padded forearm probably influenced the decision. It’s not the first time we’ve seen him tackle like that. Just ask Gio Aplon and Rocky Elsom.
Update 21-05-09:
Nel's appeal was rejected, so he will serve the suspension.
Do you feel four weeks is fair punishment, or was it merely a poorly judged hit?
Time: 02:53
Nel and the Bulls have decided to appeal against the ban, which will take place in the form of a conference phonecall at 23:00 tonight, South African time.
The suspension leaves the Bulls in a slight injury pickle, as Nel was a key member of their backline and with Wynand Olivier still struggling with a hip injury, they might be a bit thin in that department against the might and experience of last years winners.
Nel was represented by the same team that helped to clear Bakkies Botha of any wrong doing, but they weren’t as fortunate this time around, as he has been suspended up to and including, June 13th for his tackle that was deemed dangerous.
He will effectively miss a maximum of two matches, the Semi and possibly the final, despite the judicial officer having said that he considered a longer sentence, but felt that missing those two big matches were punishment enough.
Nel’s track record of similar type hits with that heavily padded forearm probably influenced the decision. It’s not the first time we’ve seen him tackle like that. Just ask Gio Aplon and Rocky Elsom.
Update 21-05-09:
Nel's appeal was rejected, so he will serve the suspension.
Do you feel four weeks is fair punishment, or was it merely a poorly judged hit?
Time: 02:53
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52 Comments:
I've seen people get away with far worse than that.. I don't think there was any intent to go high or injure him so for me four weeks is harsh.
By wibble, at May 20, 2009 2:01 pm
My thoughts exactly, it seems as though just because the bulls are hot,hot,hot this season, everyone wants to try to dent their path to the semi's...
By Anonymous, at May 20, 2009 2:17 pm
This is just getting ridiculous.
Nothing wrong with it at all.
By Jennifer, at May 20, 2009 2:19 pm
Not too bad. Penalty, not a suspension. Looks to me like they were punishing outcome, not action.
By Unknown, at May 20, 2009 2:24 pm
Why don't they just suspend the whole bulls team...then maybe the crusaders might just have a chance...
By Anonymous, at May 20, 2009 2:33 pm
Not even a penalty. Absolutely nothing wrong.
By Anonymous, at May 20, 2009 2:33 pm
Harsh, because it did not seem like there was intent. I believe that when the SC sits, they should only look at that particular incident. How many times have serious infringements gone unpunished due to a players exemplary record? Only when we have a clearly defined document that prescribes exactly what punishment fits which “crime” will we truly have an impartial siting process.
BTW I am a bulls supporter.:D
By Anonymous, at May 20, 2009 2:34 pm
Damn!!! * SC Citing Commission Siting *Citing
Glad I didnt put my name earlier :D
By Anonymous, at May 20, 2009 2:39 pm
J.P. Nel got four weeks, and Brett Sheehan got nothing? WTF
Normally to me, that should be a yellow card on the pitch, and that's it.
However J.P. Nel has some prior history so perhaps his foul play gets a closer look.
Nothwithstanding, even J.P. Nel doesn't deserve four weeks for that.
By cheyanqui, at May 20, 2009 2:49 pm
First of all what the hell was that mess of bodies. Is that what is becoming of rucks these days? Ive been seeing them alot lately in the super 14 and i want to know whats going on at ruck time.
Its definitely a swinging arm alright. His fist is clenched and it hits him and rebounds off so it shows he had no desire to wrap his arm around.
A game, maybe two because its the semi and final
By Anonymous, at May 20, 2009 3:01 pm
this is nothing! are they crazy to give him four weeks? this is a penalty at most, not even worth a card
By Unknown, at May 20, 2009 3:10 pm
If he gets a 4 week ban for something that was not intentional & accidentall, then how come Botha gets let off for slapping someone & then pushing them afterward, all in front of the ref?
Really Dont understand the siting commision!
very harsh!
By Anonymous, at May 20, 2009 3:21 pm
4 weeks!! It’s a penalty (yellow card at the most) as Nel doesn’t intentionally go high or to hurt Terblanche. With Botha’s citing as well what is the citing committee coming to? To suspend him for 4 weeks is stupid.
Come on the Bulls!!
By lock08, at May 20, 2009 3:41 pm
That Botha and Sheehan got let of is a joke, particulalry as Bakkies was cleared of 'striking an opponent in the face.' I don't think it could have been more black and white!
For me this is a definite high shot with a stiff arm. Definitely a yellow card, and maybe a one match ban. Four weeks seems like a lot.
By Peej, at May 20, 2009 3:42 pm
4 weeks????? gosh... there will be no one on the field to play rugby if this kind of judgement is being implemented all the time...
By butcher, at May 20, 2009 3:46 pm
"Its definitely a swinging arm alright. His fist is clenched and it hits him and rebounds off so it shows he had no desire to wrap his arm around."
... What? On what planet does clenching your fist show a lack of desire to wrap?
By Jennifer, at May 20, 2009 3:48 pm
Yellow card, and thats it... Obviously accidental!
By Eric, at May 20, 2009 3:50 pm
Hamish
Agree completely. Penalty but not a suspesion.
Is this the same Hamish that makes an appearance on rugyheads?
Annon
I had asked the same thing about the rucks earlier. Seems like everyone hits and falls. Old Scottish Wall?
By Boz, at May 20, 2009 4:17 pm
what were the citing commissions arguments ?
By Anonymous, at May 20, 2009 4:18 pm
i think the penalty was ok. he didn't intet to go that high. but when it happens, the penalty must come. otherwise how can you tell without a replay if someone was going to tackle that high...
but the suspension is ridiculous...
By opfazonk, at May 20, 2009 4:55 pm
Harsh enough, didnt look intentional. Looked like his arm slipped up.
By Anonymous, at May 20, 2009 5:13 pm
probably a decent shout for a penalty as it was a bit high, but a month suspension for that is going a bit far.
By jones, at May 20, 2009 5:20 pm
how can he possibly get a ban for that nd bakkies botha got away free??
SA protecting der springboks for upcomin Lions?
By Anonymous, at May 20, 2009 6:00 pm
I think that when the first tackle is made the player who carries the ball moves right and jp nell makes a bar movement with his arm. Its a very fast move and he has no intention to takle him in the neck
By Anonymous, at May 20, 2009 8:08 pm
nothing intentional.. he wanted to make the tackle. too harsh.
By Anonymous, at May 20, 2009 8:33 pm
no, a penalty but not a suspension . . . . . over reaction!!! this is a suspension and botha gets away with his "slap." What is going on in the super 14!!
By Anonymous, at May 20, 2009 8:53 pm
saffers are ridiculously dirty players tho.....and vicious people
By Anonymous, at May 20, 2009 9:13 pm
Was a swinging arm, yellow card on the pitch was correct but there should have been no further action, 4 weeks is a bit silly
By Anonymous, at May 20, 2009 9:21 pm
Terblanche is a class act. Is there any chance of him being in the boks squad against the lions?
By Anonymous, at May 20, 2009 9:42 pm
WTF?!
Botha gets nothing but JP Nel is suspended for a month.
Yellow card should have been the end of it.
By Tahman, at May 20, 2009 10:00 pm
Complete accident, weird punishment given other recent cases
By Anonymous, at May 20, 2009 10:22 pm
jeez thats harsh
By leinster fan 4 lfe, at May 20, 2009 11:23 pm
nothing no intent- just something that happens now and again in rugby. im a sharks fan and really think it was harsh to send him off and cite him!!!
By Anonymous, at May 20, 2009 11:24 pm
yeah...I agree with most folk here. Seems harsh. I'm a Sharks fan and I am gutted about the Sharks not winning but I dont think a 4 week ban is nessesary.
U cant ban someone for longer cos they have bad reputaion
By Anonymous, at May 21, 2009 12:02 am
nel was suspended because of his record, this is his 3rd suspension for forearm shots to the face, this talk of accidental is ridiculous he knows excatly how to hurt people and does it intentionaly
By happy, at May 21, 2009 12:04 am
That decision is a joke.
Right...?
By anonymous no.6, at May 21, 2009 12:31 am
happy said...
nel was suspended because of his record, this is his 3rd suspension for forearm shots to the face
If that's true it explains that decision a bit but I've always found it strange when suspensions are based on past records.
By anonymous no.6, at May 21, 2009 12:36 am
Looked accidental, but ban is fair enough.
I don't want to get knocked out cold on the field c'us some guy is trying something on. Either thru stupidity or (repeated) carelessness, he reserves the ban
By Brennie, at May 21, 2009 12:49 am
This is not his first time, he knows what he was doing. The other two times he strucked the chin of the other player with the same arm, the one where he uses his amrguard. Too much coincidence????
By Anonymous, at May 21, 2009 3:49 am
I agree with anonymous above. How many times does this guy have to get penalised for exactly the same "accident" before he realises he's got to adjust his technique? If he doesn't adjust then he can't complain about suspensions.
By BenVS, at May 21, 2009 5:40 am
accidental, no intent? Please! look at his other videos. He needs more than 4 weeks to think about it!
By Anonymous, at May 21, 2009 7:59 am
no intent
hahahahahahahah
yeah sure
By rocky, at May 21, 2009 8:49 am
nothing intentional so surely no suspension
By luxi, at May 21, 2009 1:13 pm
luxi said... nothing intentional
I repeat
you're kidding aren't you?
By rocky, at May 21, 2009 1:53 pm
GO THE BULLS!!
By Anonymous, at May 21, 2009 3:18 pm
I was still a dangerous tackle so he should of got a yellow card, and leave it at that. This is rugby not football.
By Hendrick, at May 21, 2009 3:27 pm
Thanks for everyone providing context to the ban. If this was his third offense he rightly deserves a ban. Muppet.
By USA Scrumhalf, at May 21, 2009 4:55 pm
4 weeks??
1 week most.. none would've been fine too
By Cheis, at May 21, 2009 10:41 pm
JP Nel has a habit of swinging that forearm over the top in tackles. I seem to remember him doing exactly he same thing to Rocky Elsom last year. I'm glad the ref are onto him. Its a cheap shot. Its no accident.
By Anonymous, at May 22, 2009 7:54 am
I totally agree with hapys comment so Ill quote him:
nel was suspended because of his record, this is his 3rd suspension for forearm shots to the face, this talk of accidental is ridiculous he knows excatly how to hurt people and does it intentionaly
By minstrel boy, at May 22, 2009 1:25 pm
I still can't understand how people can say he didn't intend to go high. At no point did he try to get low, nor use his shoulder to tackle.
What exactly was he trying to do?
By granite, at May 23, 2009 2:13 am
granite said...
I still can't understand how people can say he didn't intend to go high.
don't worry granite, nobody was fooled
By rocky, at May 23, 2009 3:45 am
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